Nursery School Admissions in Sotogrande, Madrid and Andalusia: Places, Ages and 2026 Deadlines

Nursery school admissions in Sotogrande, Madrid and Andalusia involve administrative lists showing which applications have been accepted, which require corrections and what steps remain before enrolment. The usual age range is the first cycle of Early Childhood Education, from 0 to 3 years, but each region sets its own calendar and requirements. In Madrid and Andalusia, always check the official 2026 admission notice. In this article we explore nursery school admissions Sotogrande in depth with practical examples.
- In brief
- How many years do children attend nursery school?
- When are the Madrid nursery school admission lists published?
- What are the requirements for subsidised nursery schools in Andalusia?
- How to understand nursery school admission lists and deadlines
- How do you apply for a nursery school place in Madrid?
- What to do after checking the nursery school admission lists
- Frequently asked questions
In brief
- Nursery school usually covers ages 0 to 3, although the starting age depends on the school.
- Madrid publishes provisional and final lists according to each admission notice, not on one single date every year.
- Andalusia requires families to check the child’s age, documentation and access criteria for the current admission process.
- Saving the application receipt, checking appeals and confirming enrolment helps prevent losing a place.

How many years do children attend nursery school?
Children usually attend nursery school during the first cycle of Early Childhood Education, from the age at which the school accepts the baby until the school year in which the child turns 3. However, some schools accept babies from the first few months, while others organise entry according to age, availability and the timetable offered. When it comes to nursery school admissions Sotogrande, it pays to listen to what families and lead guides actually report.
The term nursery school is widely used in searches, although the most common official term is infant school. In Spain, the first cycle covers ages 0 to 3, while the second cycle begins at 3 and continues until 6. This is why a place for a 3-year-old may mark the transition to a school or a Casa de Niños. Daily practice with nursery school admissions Sotogrande reveals nuances no handbook fully captures.
Age is not the only factor. It is also worth checking whether the school offers full-day care, meals, a gradual settling-in period and educational continuity. For example, a family with a 14-month-old baby may need an immediate place, while another with a child aged 2 years and 8 months may be looking for a school that supports the transition into Early Childhood Education. Understanding nursery school admissions Sotogrande from inside the classroom reshapes everyday decisions.

When are the Madrid nursery school admission lists published?
Madrid nursery school admission lists are published after the application period closes and the documentation has been reviewed. There is no single date for every school year and centre, so you should check the current notice from the Community of Madrid and communications from the school you applied to. Concrete data on nursery school admissions Sotogrande is worth reviewing before acting on assumptions.
The process usually distinguishes between a provisional list and a final list. The first helps identify errors, incomplete applications or scores that need reviewing. A period for appeals or corrections then opens, followed by the final decision and enrolment instructions.
Searching for Madrid Virtual Secretariat nursery school admission list can take you to the correct portal. However, some results combine it with the phrase Madrid Virtual Secretariat list of admitted students for Intermediate Vocational Training, which relates to vocational education rather than nursery schools. Likewise, a Madrid school admissions list does not necessarily refer to a place for children aged 0 to 3.

What are the requirements for subsidised nursery schools in Andalusia?
To access a nursery school subsidised by the Andalusian Regional Government, the child must meet the age requirement for the first cycle, the family must submit the application within the deadline and must provide evidence of the circumstances used by the current admission notice to rank places or apply discounts.
The exact requirements vary according to the programme, type of centre and school year. You will normally need to prepare identification for the child and their legal representatives, the relevant family documents and evidence for any circumstances claimed. Do not submit an outdated copy without checking the 2026 admission notice.
How to understand nursery school admission lists and deadlines
Understanding an admission list requires distinguishing between a registered application, an accepted application, a waiting list and an enrolled place. Publication of the list does not always mean that the child’s place is secured. First read the application status and then find the enrolment deadline.
What do provisional nursery school admission lists mean?
Provisional lists show the initial outcome of the scoring process and may still change. If an issue appears, submit an appeal within the stated deadline and attach only the documents requested by the administration. Then check the final publication, because a provisional place may become confirmed, move to the waiting list or be rejected.
A common mistake when checking nursery school admission lists is to look only for the child’s name and ignore the subsequent instructions. The solution is to download the complete notice, note three dates - appeal, decision and enrolment - and save proof of every step in a digital folder.
| Area | What to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid | Admission notice, chosen school, provisional list and final decision | Appeal if necessary and complete enrolment by the deadline |
| Andalusia | Age, participating school, documentation and funding conditions | Confirm the place and conditions directly with the school |
| Private or Montessori school | Ages, timetable, learning environment, admissions process and continuity | Request information and visit the environment before deciding |
How do you apply for a nursery school place in Madrid?
To apply for a nursery school place in Madrid, identify the relevant admission notice, review the available schools, complete the application through the specified channel, rank your preferences, attach the documentation and save the receipt. Afterwards, monitor the provisional list, appeals, final decision and enrolment.
- Check that the child meets the age requirement and that the school offers the timetable you need.
- Read the full admission notice and note when the application period opens and closes.
- Rank schools according to a realistic preference, not just proximity.
- Attach the requested documents and check that all files are legible.
- Download the submission receipt and keep the registration number.
- Check the result and respond within the enrolment period.
For example, a family with an 18-month-old girl may apply to three schools, putting first the one that fits their working hours and keeping two alternatives. If the first choice does not offer a place, the family should check whether the child is on the waiting list and whether they need to accept another place to avoid losing it.
What to do after checking the nursery school admission lists
After checking a place allocation list, compare the administrative decision with your child’s everyday needs. A place may be available but unsuitable for the timetable, settling-in process, rest routine or educational approach your family needs. It is therefore advisable to visit the school before confirming whenever the admission process allows it.
In a Montessori environment, I would look at whether the child can move safely, whether materials are within reach and whether adults support the child without doing everything for them. The Association Montessori Internationale provides general information about this educational approach and its principles. The UNESCO also brings together resources on early childhood education and care.
At IMS Sotogrande, Nido supports children aged 0 to 3 and Casa de Niños welcomes children aged 3 to 6. The school offers Spanish and English immersion and adds French from Casa de Niños onwards. Applications can be made at any time, the process for the following school year begins in March and currently enrolled pupils have priority.
A second scenario helps illustrate this: a family moving from Gibraltar with a 2-year-old may consider a bilingual school in San Roque around 20 - 25 minutes away by car. They first visit the environment, then request a place, complete the online pre-registration and submit the documentation. This allows them to compare the practical logistics with educational continuity rather than deciding based only on a list.
Frequently asked questions
How many years do children attend nursery school?
Children usually attend nursery school during the first cycle of Early Childhood Education, from the age at which the school accepts the baby until the school year in which the child turns 3. However, the starting age, timetable and continuity depend on each school and the regional admission notice. Some families continue afterwards into Early Childhood Education from ages 3 to 6.
When are the Madrid nursery school admission lists published?
Madrid nursery school admission lists are published once applications for the current admission process have been reviewed. There is no single date that applies to every school year or centre, so the official 2026 calendar should be checked through the Community of Madrid Virtual Secretariat. An appeals period usually follows.
What are the requirements for subsidised nursery schools in Andalusia?
To access a nursery school subsidised by the Andalusian Regional Government, the child must meet the age requirement for the first cycle, the family must submit the application within the deadline and must provide evidence of the circumstances used by the current admission notice to rank places or apply discounts. You must also confirm that the school participates in the current programme.
How do you apply for a nursery school place in Madrid?
To apply for a nursery school place in Madrid, identify the admission notice and available schools, complete the application through the specified channel, rank your preferences, attach the documentation, save the receipt and then check the provisional list, appeals period and final decision. Finally, complete enrolment by the stated deadline.
Check the admission notice for your region today, save every receipt and visit the schools that genuinely fit your family’s routine. If you are looking for an international Montessori option in Sotogrande, Book a personalised school visit.